Hey there, neighbors. Fred Talley here from Faith Pest Control.

If you’re reading this, there’s a good chance you just walked into your kitchen, flipped on the light to grab a glass of water, and saw something scurry across the counter. That sinking feeling in your stomach? I get it. We take a lot of pride in our homes here in Jasper, and seeing a roach feels like a personal insult.

But before you go out and buy every bug spray on the shelf at the hardware store, let’s take a breath and talk about a game plan. Here is exactly what you should do if you spot a “uninvited guest” in your kitchen.

Not all roaches are the same. Up here in North Georgia, we usually see two main types:

• The Smokeybrown or American Roach: These are the big ones (sometimes called “palmetto bugs”). They usually live outside and wander in by mistake.

• The German Cockroach: These are smaller, light brown, and have two dark stripes on their heads. These are the ones to worry about. They live indoors, multiply faster than you’d believe, and love your kitchen.

Roaches aren’t just there for the scenery; they’re there for the buffet. To get them out, you have to starve them out.

• Wipe the crumbs: Check under the toaster, inside the microwave, and in the cracks of the stove.

• Dry it up: A roach can live for a month without food, but only a few days without water. Fix that leaky faucet and don’t leave standing water in the sink overnight.

• Seal the snacks: If it comes in a cardboard box (like cereal or crackers), move it to a sealed plastic or glass container.

Roaches love cardboard and paper. It’s like a luxury hotel for them. If you have a stack of paper grocery bags or old Amazon boxes tucked between the fridge and the wall, get rid of them. You’re removing their “hiding spots” and making them feel exposed.

I’ve seen it a thousand times: a homeowner buys a “bug bomb” or a heavy-duty spray and soaks the kitchen. The problem? If you have German roaches, those sprays often just scatter them. They’ll run deep into your walls or into your electrical outlets, making the problem much harder for a professional to fix later.

Fred’s Pro Tip: If you see one, don’t just spray it and walk away. Try to see where it’s running to. That’s the entry point we need to seal or treat.

If you see one roach during the day, it usually means there are a lot more hiding in the shadows. At Faith Pest Control, we don’t just “spray and pray.” We look for the source, use baits that the roaches take back to the nest, and make sure they don’t come back.

We’re your neighbors, and we want you to feel comfortable in your own kitchen again. Whether you’re in Jasper, Ellijay, or Blue Ridge, we’ve got your back.

Stay safe, stay dry, and keep those counters clean!

I’ve been in the pest control business here in Jasper, Georgia, for a long time. I’ve seen a lot of folks walk out into their garage or look at their baseboards and feel that sudden sink in their stomach. You see a little pile of wings, some “mud tubes” climbing up your foundation, or—worse—you actually see the wood crumbling.

The first thing I want to tell you is: Take a deep breath. Your house isn’t going to fall down by tomorrow morning. But, you can’t ignore it either. Here in North Georgia, we deal primarily with Eastern Subterranean Termites. They are hungry, they are persistent, and they work 24/7.

If you’ve spotted signs of these “silent destroyers,” here is exactly what you should do.

Your first instinct might be to grab a can of bug spray and soak the area. Please, don’t do that. Subterranean termites live in massive colonies deep underground. If you spray the ones you see on the surface, you might kill a few hundred, but you’ll alert the rest of the colony. They’ll simply seal off that tunnel and pop up somewhere else in your house where you can’t see them. You want a professional to see the active “trails” so we can track them back to the source.

If you see winged insects (swarmers), try to catch a few in a jar or a plastic baggie. Termite swarmers look a lot like flying ants to the untrained eye, but the treatment for ants is a whole lot different than the treatment for termites.

• Termites have straight antennae and equal-length wings.

• Ants have “elbowed” antennae and wings of different lengths.

Termites are soft-bodied insects. They need moisture to survive, so they build little tunnels made of mud and saliva to travel from the dirt into your wooden floor joists. Look along your foundation, in your crawlspace, or behind your HVAC unit. If you see what looks like dried veins of Georgia red clay climbing up your wall, you’ve got a highway leading straight into your home.

Sometimes you don’t see the bugs; you see their leftovers. Keep an eye out for:

• Bubbling paint: It often looks like water damage, but it’s actually termites eating the paper backing of the drywall.

• Hollow-sounding wood: Tap on your baseboards or windowsill. If it sounds like a drum, the inside has likely been hollowed out.

• Piles of wings: After they swarm, termites shed their wings. You’ll often find these on windowsills or near light fixtures.

I’m a big fan of folks being handy around the house, but termites are one area where you really need a pro. To actually protect your home, you have to create a continuous barrier around the entire perimeter or use a specialized baiting system that the termites take back to the queen.

At Faith Pest Control, we don’t just “spray.” We investigate. We look at the moisture levels in your crawlspace and the “conducive conditions” (like mulch piled too high) that invited them in to begin with.

If you’re seeing activity in Jasper, Talking Rock, or anywhere here in Pickens County, give us a call. We offer a 100% “Make You Happy” Money Back Guarantee. If you aren’t satisfied with our service, we’ll come back and make it right, or we’ll refund your money. It’s that simple.

Your home is likely your biggest investment. Don’t let a bug the size of a grain of rice eat away your equity.

Well, howdy neighbors! Fred Talley here from Faith Pest Control, right here in our beautiful corner of North Georgia. Now, if you’re like me, you’re probably already looking forward to those warmer days, the dogwoods blooming, and maybe getting a little dirt under your fingernails in the garden.

But I’ve been in this business a long time—I’m a Georgia State Certified Pest Control Operator and a Public Health Specialist—and I can tell you one thing for sure: the bugs are looking forward to spring just as much as you are. In fact, they’re probably already making plans to move into your guest room!

With the mild winter we’ve had leading into 2026, those critters are going to be waking up hungry and looking for a place to raise a family. Here is my “neighbor-to-neighbor” guide on how to batten down the hatches before the spring rush.

Pests are like little water-seeking missiles. They’ll find the tiniest crack in your foundation or a gap around a utility pipe and think it’s a front-door welcome mat.

• Seal the Gaps: Grab a tube of high-quality silicone caulk. Check where your siding meets the foundation and around those outdoor faucets.

• Check the Screens: Don’t wait for the first swarm of flies. If your window screens have holes, those “no-see-ums” will be “now-I-see-ums” inside your kitchen real quick.

In Georgia, moisture is the root of almost every pest problem. Termites, cockroaches, and mosquitoes are all looking for a drink.

• Gutter Check: Make sure your gutters aren’t clogged with last fall’s leaves. When they overflow, they dump water right against your foundation, which is like ringing the dinner bell for Subterranean Termites.

• The “Inch of Water” Rule: Mosquitoes only need about an inch of standing water to breed. Check those flower pot saucers, old tires, or even kids’ toys left out in the yard.

I always tell folks, “If you take care of your home, it’ll take care of you.” That goes for the pantry, too!

• Airtight is Right: Flour, sugar, and pet food should all go into sealed containers. If an ant can smell it, an ant will find it.

• The 20-Foot Rule: Keep your firewood piles at least 20 feet away from the house and up off the ground. Termites and mice love a good woodpile, but you don’t want them using it as a bridge to your living room.

Now, I know life gets busy. Sometimes you do everything right, and those bugs still find a way in. That’s why I’m here. I’m not just a guy with a sprayer; I’m your neighbor.

Here is my promise: If you hire me to get rid of your pest problem and, at the end of 30 days, you are not 100% HAPPY, I will come back and retreat your home for FREE. And I’ll keep on doing it until you are happy. If that still doesn’t do it, I’ll give you back every penny you paid me, plus an additional $25.00 for your time and trouble. Period.

Don’t let the bugs put a damper on your spring. Give me a holler!